Oil-gage



T. l. KEHOE.

ou GAGE. v APPLICATION FILED MAY 23, 1917.

Patented sept. 13, 1921..

INVENTOR. fha/7705 /feoe ATTORNEY traer 'TI-IOIVIASl J'. KEHOE, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, .ASSIGNOR T0 vTIE-IE WILLYS-OVERLAND COM-f'.

PANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO. v.

OIL-GAGE.

To @ZZ whom t may concern.'

3e it known that I, THOMAS J. Kei-ion, a 4citizen of the United States, residing at rl`oledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gil-Gages, of which I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description. l

,This invention relates to lubricating systems and particularly to those of internal combustion engines where it is especially important to feed the lubricant with certainty and regularity, and where it is especially necessary that any stoppage in the lubricating system, which interferes with its feeding, should be automatically indicated at Iindicating member.

T he principal object of this invention is to provide an improved oil gage, to be con- .nectcd in the lubricating system, which will automatically indicate tothe driver whether or not lubricant is being fed.

Further objects, and objects relating to economies of manufacture and details of construct-ion, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow:

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following` specification. My invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the appended claims:

A structure constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

vFigure I Vis a side elevation showing an engine and lubricating` system in which is connected the devicey constituting the subjectl matter of the present invention;`

F II is a transverse, vertical section through the indicating` device on the line 2-2 of Fig. III; Y Y

Fig; III is a cross-sectional view through the indicating device taken on line 3 3 of Fig. II;

IV is a front elevation of the device and Fig. V is a detail perspective view of the Similar referencenumerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking inthe 'direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section linesy Referring to the drawings: the lubricating' system is shown in connection with a Specification of Letters atent. Pagut-.Qd Sgpt. 13, jg.' Application filed May 23,

1917'.l Serial No. 170,472. A

gasolene engine, designated generally by the numeral 10. The lubricant. is pumped from the-drip pan 11 of the engine, through a pipe 12, to a pump 13 operated bythe engine. This .nimp may be of any desired construction. he lubricating oilis then pumped by the'pump 13 through a pipe '14 to the oil gage 15, fromwii-ichit is fed by gravity through a pipe 16 to the distributing connection 17, which may also be of any d'esii-ed construction.

lThe oil gage comprises a cylindrical frame 18 forming a chamber 21, which is closed at its rear end by the rear wall 19, integral with the frame 18. rlhe forwardcend of the frame 18 has a cylindrical fiange 2O (Fig. II) which projects through an opening 23 of a supporting member 24, which may be the dash-board of the automobile. The flange 2O is externally threaded so that an internally threaded ring 25 may be screwed seal for any oil which may accumulate in the chamber 2 Thepipe 1-/1 is connected to a rearwardly extending nipple 29 integral with the. top `of the frame 18,*and the pipeflG is connected to a rearwardly extending nipple 29 integral with the lower end ofthe frame. A threaded opening 30 is provided in the upper end of the frame' 18 and a cylindrical member 33 has an upwardly extending threaded stud 34' which is vscrewed into the lower end of the 'opening 30 to hold the member 38 in place in the chamber 21. A screw plug c oses the upper end of the opening. The' member 33 is provided with a central bore 36 which is enlarged at its lower end to form an oil chamber 3T. A sleeve 38 surrounds the member and slides vertically on saidy member. The lower end of the sleeve is pro-` vided with a'valve'seat 39 on which is seated a ball valve 40. The upper end of the sleeve is provided with ,a flange Sto which is fastened, in any1 desired way, an indicator 414i.

The indicator 44 has an opening 451:0 receive the upper end of the sleeve 38, and its outer .en dis bentat right angles to. the Abody there of, and the vertical portion'ot the indicator carries the words On and Ott The rear 'tace ot the glass 2T is painted7 as shown in Figs. HI and IV, but an oval sight opening' 45 is lel't in the center of the glass.

A coiled spring e6 surrounds the sleeve 3S and is Compressed between the horizontal portion ot the indicator eil; and the bottom ot the trame 18. An opening 417 is provided in the bottom ot' the 'frame 18, directly under the ball valve l() vand the port in the nipple 29 conmiunicates with this opening. it screw stud lll closes the bottom ot the opening' it" and has a vertical pin if). which projects slightly out ot the opening 47 into the chamber Qi. lllhen the pump 13 is operated the oil is forced by the pump through the pipe 1l, the passage in the nipple Q9A and the opening 30 into the chamber .3T in the meinher 33. its the oil is pumped into the chamber 3T, the chamber begins to till because the ball valve et() closes the lower end ot the chamber. The pressure ot the oil on the valve '-10 and the lower end ot the sleeve 3S, lowers the sleeve gradually against the tension ot' the spring` 4-6. rPhe oil acts as a liquid seal between the member 33 and the sleeve 28 and prevents air from entering' the sleeve, the pressure of the oil being depended upon entirely to regulate its flow to the connection 17. lllhen the supply ot oil. in the lowerl end olf thefsleeve 88 reaches a certain volume the sleeve 3S is lowered enough to 'anse the ball valve l() to contact with the upper end ot the pin 49. Then the ball valve l() contacts with the pin #119. it is raised out o t its seat and oil is permitted to flow past the valve and drop into the opening- 41T and pass through the nipple 29 .and pipe 1G to the distributing' connection 17 by gravity. As long .as the pump Continues to operate the oil Hows continuously past the valve 40. The pressure ot' the oil, however, causes the valve to open more or less dependent upon the speed ot the motor.

As long as the pump lil is running' and feeding oil through the lub-'icatingr system the pressure in the chamber 3T will be .maintain-al and the sleeve 38 will be held in its lower position so that the valve 4r() is open and the word On is visible through the sight opening` l5. it the pump 13 stops., the ]'n'essure in the chamber 37 will be lowered at once and the spring' l-G will litt the sleeve su'liiciently so that the ball valve il0 will close and the word Gn will no longer he visible through the sight opening 45. ln `case the supply ot lubricating oil should become exhausted so that the pump no longer 'forces any oil through the system th-e seal between the cylindrical member and the sleeve 3S would be broken so that the sleeve 38 would be forced upwardly by the spring' 4t@ and the word Gti will appear through the sight opening. t is apparent, therefore7 that this oil gage will autonnitica" 'y ever the lubricant ceases to tlow through the indicate whensystem and7 since it depends on the oil in the system to torm the seal between the member 3B and the sleeve 38, it will indicate at once whenever such supply ot oil is exhausted.

I am aware that the embodiment of my invention here shown and describi-d is susceptible ot considerable varia-tion without departing from the spirit thereof, and there- Jf'oi'e7 l desire to claim the saine broadly as indicated by the appended claims. l have Ytound7 however, that this partieular embodiment .is desirable .trom .many standpoints and theretore, l desire rto claim the same specritically as well as broadly Aas will appear from the ap iended claims.

Having' thus described my invention., what l claim as new and desire lto secure by Letters .Patent is:--

1. An oil lrage comprising; the combination ot a frame member.provided with aehainber therein, and a rcniovable 'liront plate with a sight opening therein, said trame member' being' provided with diametrically opposite inlet and outlet ports tor said chamber; a block farried by said trame' member within said chamber, ha ving an oil cha inber therein,

and a passage connecting said oil chamber with said inlet port: a sleeve slidably mounted on said bloclo and provided with a valve seat at its lower end; a valve element norend ot said oil. chamber; a spring' disposed around said sleeve and tendine' to retain it in its upper posi-tion. a stud in said outlet port adapted to engagre'and unseat the valve lelement in the low-er position .ot the sleeve; and an indicating' member carried by said sleeve and. carrying;` a legend adapte-d to be disphyed through said sight opening,

An oil gage comprising' the combination ot' a trame member, provideijlw'ith a chamber therein, and a t'r-ont plate having a sight opening therein. said :trame member being provided with inlet .and outlet ports 'tor said chamber; a block carried by said trame memher within said chamber, ha ving' an 4oil chamber therein. and a passage comiectingr said oil chamber with said inlet port', a sleeve slidably mounted on said block, and provided with a valve seat at its lower end; a valve element normally seating thereon, and .closing; the llower end ot said oil chamber; a spring disposed around said sleeve and tending to retain it in its upper position; a stud in said outlet port adapted to engage and unseat the valve element in the lower iposition of the sleeve; and an indicating' `member mallyseating thereon, and closing` the lower carried by said sleeve and carrying a legend adapted to be displayed through said sight opening'. Y

in oil gage' comprising the combination .ot a trame member, provided with a chamber therein, and a` front plate having a sight opening therein, said trame member being provided with an inlet and outlet port for said chamber; a block carried by sa-id frame member withinv said chamber, having an oil chamber therein connected with said inlet ports; a sleeve slidably mounted on said block, and provided with a valve seat at its lower end; a valve element normally seating thereon and closing the lower end of said oil chamber; a spring disposed around said sleeve and tending to retain it in its upper position; a stud in said outlet port, adapted to engage and unseat the valve element inthe lower position of the sleeve; and an indicating member carried by said sleeve, and carrying a legend adapted to be displayed through said sight opening.

4t. An oil gage comprising the combination of a frame member, provided with a chamber therein, and a front plate, having a sight opening therein, said frame member beingprovided with inlet and outlet ports for said chamber; a block carriedl by said frame member within said chamber, having an oil chamber therein connected with said inlet port; a sleeve slidably mounted on said block and yielding-ly held in its upper position, said sleeve being provided with a valve scat at its lower end; a valve element normally seating thereon and closing the lower end of said oil chamber; a stud in said outlet port adapted to engage and unseat the valve element in the lower position or' the sleeve, and an indicating member carried by said sleeve, and carryinga legend adapted to be displayed through said sight opening.

5, An oil gage comprising the combination of a frame member, provided with a chamber therein, and a front plate having a sight opening therein, said frame member being provided with an inlet and outlet port for said chamber; a block carried by said frame member within said chamber and having an oil chamber therein connected with said inlet port; a sleeve slidably mounted on said block and'yieldingly held in its upper position, said sleeve being provided with a valve seat at its lower end; a valve element normally seating thereon and closing tlie lower end ot said oil chamber; means adapted to unseat said valve element in the lower position of the sleeve; and an indicating member carried by said sleeve and carrying a legend adapted to be displayed throuo'h said sight opening.

6. n oil gage comprising the combination of a frame member, provided with a chamber therein, anda front plate having a sight Aopening therein, said frame-member being provided with inlet and outlet ports for said chamber; a block carried by said frame member' within said chamber and having an oil chamber therein connected with said inlet port; a valve normally closing the lower end ot' said oil chamber;

being provided with inlet and outlet ports for said chamber; a block carried by said frame member within said chamber and having an oil chamber thereinv connected with lsaid inlet port; a movable member normally closing said oil chamber and provided with a valve; anindicating member carrying a legend adapted to be displayed through said sight opening' and actuated by said'movable member; and means adapted to unseat said valve at a predetermined position of the movable member.

S. The combination with a lubricating system; of a valve comprising a member having an oil chamber connected to the t'eed line, and an outer ymember slidably mounted on the vfirst named member, the fluid in said chamber forming a seal between said members, a valve element normally seating in said slidable member, and closing the lower end ot said chamber; means adapted to automatically unseat said valve when the pressure in said system reaches a predetermined point, and indicating means actuated by said movable member. l

The combination with a lubricating system, of'a memberthrough which the loil .is iced and which is movable responsive to the pressure in said system, a valve normally seating` in and closing an opening in said movable member, means for automatically unseating said valve when the pressure` in said system reaches a pre-determined point and indicating means controlled by said movable member.

10. The combination with a 'lubricating system, ot a member through which the oil is fed and which is movable responsive to the pressure inv said system, a valve normally seating in and closing an opening in said movable member, spring' means tending to prevent movement of said member in one direction under the pressure ot' said system, means for automatically unseating said valve when the pressure in said system reaches a pre-determined point,'andvr indicating means controlled by said movable element.

ll. The combination with a lubricating system, 4of a memberthrough which the oil is fed and which is movable responsive to the pressure in said system, a valve normally seating in and closing an opening inl said movable member, stationary means engaged by said valve'when the member is moved to a pre-determined position for automatically unseating said valve, and indicating means controlled by said movable member.

12.*The combination with a lubricating,` system, oit a member provided ivith a chamber therein, and havinginlet and outlet ports, a block carried by said member Within said chamber and having an oil chamber therein connected vvith said inlet port, a movable member normally closing` said oil. chamber, a valve in said movable member and means adapted to unseat said valve in as predetermined position ot the movable member. and indicating means controlled by said movable member.

lf3. The combination with a lubricating system, tivo telescoiiing` members Forming an .expansible oil chamber which is expansible respons-ive to the pressure in said system, a valve in said chamber automatically unseated at a pre-determined point ot expansion oi said chamber. and indicating means controlled by said expansible chamber.

ll. ln a lubricatingsystem. means tormingr an expansible oil chamber continuously open to one side ot the systemv` and a valve in said chamber adapted to be opened to the opposite side ot the system automatically at a predetermined point ot expansion ot said chamber.

l5. ln a lubricating system. means toriningan expansible oil chamber continuously open to one side ot the system, a valve in sai-d chamber automatically opened to the opposite side ot the system at a predeterminedpoint ot expansion ot said chamber` and an indicating` device controlled by said means.

' 1G. ln a lubricatingsystem, means tormingr an expansible oil chamber continuously open to one side ot the system, spring' means normally retaining said chamber in unexpanded position. a valve in said chamber which is automatically opened tothe opposite side ot the system at a predetermined point ot e'xl'iansion ot said chamber. and an indicating' device controlled by said means.

1T. In ka lulnricating,- system. a member through which the oil is 'ted and which is movable responsive to the pressure in said system, a valve normally closing` an. opening` in said movable member, and means 'for automatically unse/ating; said valve ivlien the pressure in said system reaches a pre-determined point.

18. ln a lubricating syst-em, a member through which the oil is ted and which is movable responsive to the pressure in said system, a valve normally closing an opening' in said movable member, springl` means tending; to prevent movement ot said member in one direction under the pressure ot said system, andv means tor automatically unseating,` said valve vvhen the pressure in said system reaches a predetermined point.

i9. In a lubricating system, a member through which the oil is fed and Which is movable responsive to the pressure in said system. a valve normally closing an opening in sail movable member, and stationary means engaged by said valve when the member is moved to a predetermined position for automatically unseating said valve.

20. ln a lubricating system, a member provided xvith a chamber therein and having inlet and outlet ports, an element carried by said member within said chamber and having an oil chamber therein connected with said inlet port, a movable member normally closing' said oil chamber, a valve in said movable member., and i'neans adapted 'to unseat said valve in a predetermined position ot said mov: ble member.

21. in a lulnicating system, two telescoping members torming an expansible oil chamber continuously open to one side lof the system, said chamber being,` expansibleresponsive to the pressure in said. system, and a valve in ,said chamber automatically unseated at a predetermined point ot expansion oit said chamber to ope-n communication with the opposite side ot the system.

ln a lubricatingl system, means movable responsive to the pressure ot said system to one side ot said means. a valve, tor said means aeapted to open communication with the opposite side ot the system.y and means tor openingv the valve when said irst named means has been moved to a predetermined position.

Q3. ln a lubricating` system, means movable in response to ythe pressure in said system to one side ot said means, a, 'valve tor said means adapted to open communication with the opposite side ot' the system, a device tor openingv said valve when said means has been moved to a predetermined position, and .imlicatinpmeans controlled by said movable means.

24C. ln a lulnicating` system, means movable in respcuise to the pressure in said system, to one side et said means spring;` means normally opposing` said movement, and a valve carried by said first named means and automatically opened at a predetermined point in the movement ot said means to open communieation ivith the opposite side of the system.

25. ln a lubricating' system, means movable in response to the pressure in said system to one side ot said means, spring; means normally opposing said movement, a valve carried by said 'Fir-st named. means and autonia-ti cally opened at a predetermined point in the movement et' said means to open communication With the opposite side ot the system, and indicating' means controlled by said movable means.

ln testimony whereof l fri-mins my signature.

. manon. 

